Ms Wallace says a lot of houses built between 1945 and 1986 contain asbestos cement sheeting in the eaves.

"If you're thinking about getting on a ladder and installing a light, drilling a couple of holes you could be putting yourself at risk," she says.

"We are deeply concerned that people are rushing into renovation jobs without actually considering the possibility of asbestos first."

Highly hazardous asbestos products were manufactured by Tasmanian company Goliath Cement until 1986.

About 3,000 known asbestos products are still present in Tasmanian houses and infrastructure.

The inhalation of asbestos fibers may result in serious diseases, such as asbestosis, mesothelioma or lung cancer.

Asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) caused from inhaling the harmful fibres are expected to rise over the next 20 years.

"A lot of schools and hospitals ended up with asbestos floor tiles throughout the buildings," Ms Wallace says.

People who are renovating over a weekend or short period of time are urged not to rush.

"If there's any doubt at all that it might be asbestos get it tested or get somebody in to assess it."

Ms Wallace says asbestos can be found in power boxes in many homes in Tasmania.

"Quite often that black sheet at the back of a fuse box contains chrysotile asbestos." she says.

"We have to bear in mind that this was seen as a miracle fire retardant product."

The demolition and disposal of buildings containing asbestos products has to be treated with great care by professionals.

"There is a whole process involved with wetting down and making sure minimum fibers are released, wearing the correct protective equipment, the product itself has to be wrapped in very thick plastic, labeled and transported to controlled landfill," she says.